ascendant

Ascendant is a term used in several disciplines with related but distinct meanings. In astrology it denotes the rising sign; in genealogy it refers to an ancestor; and in general usage it can describe something rising in power or prominence. The exact sense depends on context.

In astrology, the ascendant (also called the rising sign) is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the time and place of a person’s birth. It is determined from birth time and location and effectively marks the cusp of the first house in a natal chart. The ascendant influences outward appearance, demeanor, and first impressions, and it is a key factor alongside the Sun sign and Moon sign in chart interpretation. The ruling planet of the ascendant sign and its aspects to other planets are commonly considered in readings.

In astronomy and celestial mechanics, the concept most closely related to ascendant is the ascending node: the point where an orbit crosses the reference plane from south to north. The opposite point is the descending node. The term ascendant is not standard in modern technical usage, though historical texts sometimes used it in relation to orbital motion.

In genealogy, an ascendant is an ancestor or forebear, traced upward in a family tree. Descendants are the offspring and later generations downward. Pedigree charts often label upward lines as ascendants.

As an adjective, ascendant describes something rising in power, influence, or status. For example, a nation or movement may be described as ascendant when it is gaining prominence.